Grains of Sand

For today September 14, 2010 Outside my window... ~is a day filled with God's creativity!  From the greenest of grasses to the brown fields, the blue,gray,white and silver edged clouds, to the streams of golden sun kissing the earth as it rises.  Just magificent. I am thinking... ~of all the last minute details that seem to go into getting ready for baby number four. I am thankful for... ~the way my oldest son will pick up a book on his own and read.  After all the struggles we had while he was learning to read, this is a wonderful thing. I am wearing... ~my pajamas, which I might add, are hardly fitting over my tummy anymore. :sigh: In the learning rooms... ~First year of Tapestry of Grace. I am remembering... ~how much noise our labrador retriever could make in the morning. (And not really missing it much) I am going... ~ to exercise my right to vote today. I am currently reading... ~ "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens (just one of those cl...

For today August 31, 2010 Outside my window.... it's hot and humid with overcast skies and a storm rolling in. I am thankful for..... God's comfort in times of need. I am wearing..... a banana republic t-shirt and shorts. I am hearing..... the sound of the air-conditioner keeping the house cool and the wind whipping outside. I am going..... to start organizing the baby clothes the neighbor gave to us. I am reading..... Not much right now, but I think I'll borrow The Secret Life of Bees from the library. I am thinking..... that almost every time we've gone to the library this summer it's been raining.  Looks like today will be no different. I am hoping..... to be able to efficiently accomplish all the tasks on the 'to do' list today. I am creating..... lesson plans for our schoolwork, hoping to get at least a month on paper, hopefully two. On my mind...... the impending arrival of our fourth child, the work on my desk and my husbands appoi...

For today August 10, 2010 Outside my window.... gray skies, goldfinches and green grass. I am thankful for..... family, friends and flowers. I am wearing..... turquoise tank top and black bermudas. I am hearing..... children chattering. I am going..... to take time to be tranquil today. I am reading..... a pastdue paperback. I am thinking..... of my marvelous mate. I am hoping..... to alliterate all my answers. I am creating..... school signboards. On my mind...... cultivating commendable character traits. Noticing that..... on occasion I'm ornery. Praying for..... Jessica Jo (and her family). From the kitchen..... cupcakes and coffee. Around the house..... loads of laundry, a trove of toys, balloons and birthday cards. One of my favorite things.... sipping strawberry smoothies at sundown. A few plans for the rest of the week..... partake in playdates, personal pampering, and a party. A picture thought or two (from 3 year old M's point of view)...

For today August 3, 2010 Outside my window.... blue hazy skies and a few trees in need of pruning. I am thankful for..... the freedoms I have because I live in the United States of America. I am wearing..... black shorts and a red t-shirt. I am hearing..... the air conditioner working to keep the house cool on this very warm humid morning. I am going..... to pick up a book at the library about knitting. I am reading..... From Every End of This Earth by Steven V. Roberts and just finished For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn.  I would highly recommend For Women Only to anyone who has a husband or significant male in their lives.  It brought up some areas that I need to address in my relationship with my man. I am thinking..... of how blessed I am to have three (plus one on the way) beautiful children and a loving husband.  I was once asked in college what I wanted to be when I grew up and my response was "a wife and a mother".  I am sometimes overcom...

This past weekend we gathered the children and headed over to a hot air balloon rally.  As we were within a half hour of our destination we noticed a LARGE, dark cloud hovering overhead.  As we were travelling, the wind picked up and then a few raindrops began to pepper the windshield.  Those raindrops quickly increased in size and number until the windshield wipers were on high trying to keep up.  We suddenly found ourselves driving through puddles in the street that we were lucky to get through.  I was gripping the armrest as my competent husband manuevered us through.  It almost felt as if we would start floating any moment.  Then we began to hear the sound of hail hitting the car and sure enough, we were being pelted by small balls of ice.  We sought the shelter of some strong old trees and waited out the storm. The storm cloud finally did pass and the sun began to peak through, giving us hope of an enjoyable balloon filled evening....

For today July 13, 2010 Outside my window.... blue skies and hot sun. I am thankful for..... the extra amount of patience that I have with three children than I did with one. I am wearing..... a black tank top and turquoise blue shorts. I am hearing..... the sweet sound of the washing machine cleaning our clothes. I am going..... to put together a grocery list using the Roundy's match ups that Mom for Him provides. I am reading..... From Every End of This Earth by Steven V. Roberts I am thinking..... that our summer seems to be travelling at light speed. I am hoping..... to re-arrange the house a bit to make it more efficient for schooling at home. I am creating..... a master packing list for the family so that we can reduce the amount of forgotten items when we go away.  Number one item we forget, toothbrushes. On my mind...... the arrival of our fourth baby is only about two months away.  Wow, that time is flying by. From the learning rooms..... decisi...

We have a sunflower growing next to our patio.  I didn't plant it there.  It is a welcome surprise which germinated from a winter supply of birdseed.  I just read an article in Midwest Living called "Summer Showstoppers", in which they give some interesting information about sunflowers.  Did you know that sunflowers follow the sun?  (Please tell me I'm not the only one who didn't know this.)  The heads track the sun from horizon to horizon. While M and I were outside together I pointed out this little plant and said to her, "Oh, I think this is a sunflower."  Upon assessing the plant and it's mostly shady location, she said to me very matter of fact, "No, it's a shade flower."  Such wisdom from a three year old.  I love it!